The Woman in White

Walter Hartright

Also known as the artist · Mr. Hartright · the narrator of the continuation

Laura’s husband and the narrator. After proving Laura’s identity, he returns to work as an illustrator and becomes heir to Limmeridge when Frederick Fairlie dies.

Laura Fairlie

Also known as Miss Fairlie · Lady Glyde · Laura, Lady Glyde

Marian’s younger half-sister and Walter’s wife. She is publicly recognized as Philip Fairlie’s daughter, and she and Walter later have a son who becomes heir to Limmeridge.

Marian Halcombe

Also known as Miss Halcombe

Laura’s half-sister and Walter’s trusted ally. She remains with Walter and Laura as part of their family and becomes godmother to their son.

Count Fosco

Also known as Fosco · the Count · Isidor, Ottavio, Baldassare Fosco

Eleanor Fairlie’s husband and the architect of the conspiracy that exchanged Laura’s and Anne Catherick’s identities. After fleeing England, he is murdered in Paris by an unknown hand; the cuts that erase his Brotherhood brand mark him as a traitor, and his death is never fully explained.

The man at the opera with a scar

Also known as the slim man with the scar on his left cheek · the foreigner with the scar · the foreigner with a scar on his cheek

A light-haired foreign-looking man with a scar who follows Count Fosco and later visits Professor Pesca in Paris. Walter learns that he was a member of the Brotherhood; Pesca says he had seen the man at the opera but could not recognize him then. His identity and the circumstances of his death remain unknown.

Professor Pesca

Also known as Pesca

Walter’s Italian friend and a member of the secret Brotherhood. He accompanies Walter to Paris, where a scarred Brotherhood member tells him of distressing news connected to his past; Pesca later serves as godfather to Walter and Laura’s son.

The Countess Fosco

Also known as Eleanor Fairlie · Madame Fosco · the Countess · Eleanor Fairlie’s wife

Count Fosco’s wife and accomplice in the conspiracy. After her husband’s murder, she lives in retirement at Versailles, visits his grave, and publishes a biography praising him.

Monsieur Rubelle

Also known as the agent · the foreign agent with a dark beard

A foreign agent in Count Fosco’s network, described by Walter as apparently a spy. He retrieves Walter’s sealed letter for Fosco and waits with Walter after the Count leaves; Walter never sees him again.

The cab driver to Forest Road

Also known as the driver who takes Walter to Forest Road

An unnamed cab driver whom Walter hires to take him to Count Fosco’s house.

The maid at Blackwater Park

Also known as the maid

An unnamed maid who tells the housekeeper that a gentleman came to ask when Sir Percival would return. She later answers the door at Count Fosco’s Forest Road house and admits Walter.

The housemaid at Number Five, Forest Road

Also known as the housemaid

An unnamed servant in the Foscos’ London household. She admits Walter to the house and helps the Count and his wife prepare to leave.

The foreign-looking man at the London house

Also known as the man with a dark beard

An unnamed bearded foreigner who shows Laura to a room in the London house where Count Fosco brings her, and later brings water and smelling salts. The narrative does not establish that he is Monsieur Rubelle.

The first English stranger at the London house

Also known as the Count’s English friend

An unnamed Englishman whom Count Fosco introduces to Laura as a friend. He questions and studies her before leaving her alone.

The second English stranger at the London house

Also known as another friend of Count Fosco’s

An unnamed Englishman who enters after the first stranger leaves, introduces himself as another of Fosco’s friends, and questions and studies Laura.

Sir Percival Glyde

Also known as Percival · Laura’s husband · the baronet

Laura’s deceased husband and Count Fosco’s accomplice. His letter to Fosco helps establish that Laura was alive at Blackwater Park on the day she was falsely recorded as dead.

Mrs. Clements

Also known as Mrs. Clement

Anne Catherick’s longtime friend and foster mother. Count Fosco’s narrative says he persuaded her to take Anne to London and arranged for his wife to follow her there; she later attends Walter and Laura’s son’s christening.

The physician in London

Also known as the new doctor

An unnamed London physician who attends Marian at Blackwater Park and confirms that she is recovering from typhus.

The doctor who attends Anne at the London house

Also known as the nearest doctor

An unnamed doctor summoned when Anne suffers convulsions at Count Fosco’s London house. He registers her death on the day she dies.

The two doctors

Also known as Sir Percival’s two asylum doctors · the two asylum doctors · the two medical gentlemen

Unnamed doctors whom Count Fosco recruits to certify Laura as insane, enabling him to have her confined under Anne’s identity.

The coachman who drove Fosco

Also known as John Owen · the man who drove the fly

Count Fosco’s driver, who took the supposedly dead Lady Glyde from Forest Road to Waterloo Bridge station. His evidence and the livery stable’s dated order-book help Walter prove Laura traveled to London.

The proprietor of the livery stables

Also known as the livery-stable proprietor · the master of the stable-yard

An unnamed, respectable proprietor who lets Walter inspect the order-book recording the carriage hired for Fosco on July 26, 1850, and certifies a copy of the entry.

The clerk from Mr. Kyrle’s office

Also known as the clerk

An unnamed legal clerk who travels to Cumberland with John Owen while Walter, Laura, Marian, and Mr. Kyrle travel in another carriage.

Mr. Kyrle

Also known as Mr. Gilmore’s partner · William Kyrle

The Fairlie family solicitor and Walter’s legal adviser. He helps Walter secure Laura’s public recognition, returns to London after the gathering at Limmeridge, and later informs Laura and Marian of Frederick Fairlie’s death.

Frederick Fairlie

Also known as Mr. Fairlie

Laura’s uncle and guardian. He reluctantly authorizes the public recognition of Laura, then dies of paralysis after the shock of the crowd’s cheering; his death leaves Walter heir to Limmeridge.

Louis

Also known as Frederick Fairlie’s foreign valet

Frederick Fairlie’s valet. He assists his master to stand during Walter’s public presentation of Laura and stands behind him with smelling salts and a scented handkerchief.

The solemn man-servant

Also known as the servant · Walter’s conductor

An unnamed senior servant at Limmeridge House who receives Walter on his late arrival, serves him, and leads him through the house.

Mr. Philip Fairlie

Also known as Philip Fairlie · the late Mr. Philip Fairlie, of Limmeridge House

Laura’s deceased father. Walter publicly establishes Laura as his daughter.

The visitors to Count Fosco’s house

Also known as the Count’s visitor

Walter, Laura’s husband, who confronts Count Fosco at Forest Road and secures the confession and documentary evidence needed to prove Laura’s identity.

The people assembled at Limmeridge House

Also known as the assembled tenants · the persons assembled

Unnamed people summoned to hear Walter’s account of the conspiracy and witness Laura’s recognition as Frederick Fairlie’s niece. Walter asks them to confirm that the evidence establishes her identity.

The statuary’s man

Also known as the man sent to erase the inscription

An unnamed worker from a Carlisle statuary who comes to Limmeridge churchyard and chisels the false inscription from the tombstone of Laura’s mother.

Mrs. Todd

Also known as the farmer’s wife · the dairymaid’s mother

The farmer’s wife at Todd’s Corner, where Anne Catherick and Mrs. Clements once stayed. She welcomes Walter’s party while Marian arranges their accommodation.

Mr. Todd

Also known as the farmer

The farmer at Todd’s Corner and husband of Mrs. Todd. Walter arranges for John Owen to stay with the farm servants.

The tenants who attended the false funeral

Also known as the tenants summoned to Limmeridge House

Unnamed tenants who attended the funeral of the woman falsely identified as Laura. Frederick Fairlie’s letter summons them to hear Walter disclose the conspiracy.

The district registrar

Also known as the registrar

An unnamed official whose copy of the death certificate records the date Anne Catherick died, helping Walter demonstrate that Laura was alive when the certificate said she was dead.

Major Donthorne

Former owner of Varneck Hall, where Mrs. Catherick worked before her marriage. In a letter to Walter, he confirms that Philip Fairlie stayed at Varneck Hall in autumn 1826 and returned later as a newly married man; he says Sir Percival had never visited.

Sir Felix Glyde’s mother

Also known as Sir Felix Glyde’s wife · Cecilia Jane Elster

Sir Felix Glyde’s partner and Sir Percival’s mother, whose marriage entry was forged by her son. Walter’s new inference is that she was not Laura and Anne’s biological mother.

Anne Catherick

Also known as the woman in white · the strange woman · the fugitive from the Asylum · the anonymous letter writer

The woman who closely resembled Laura and was confined in an asylum. Walter concludes that Philip Fairlie was probably her biological father, making her and Laura half-sisters; Anne died and was buried beside Laura’s mother.

Mrs. Fairlie

Also known as Laura and Marian’s mother · the late Mrs. Fairlie

The deceased mother of Laura and Marian, and Philip Fairlie’s wife. She cared for Anne as a child, apparently without suspecting that Anne was Philip’s daughter, and is buried beside Anne.

Mrs. Rubelle

Also known as the nurse from London · the experienced nurse

A foreign nurse who helped Count Fosco and Sir Percival conceal Marian at Blackwater Park. Walter suspects she may have been one of the agents in Fosco’s presumed spy network.

The people at the Fulham school

Also known as the daughters of Marian’s old mistress

Unnamed women who took over the school Marian attended in Fulham. They arrange the new lodgings after receiving her messenger’s note.

The agent for the furnished house

Also known as the house agent

An unnamed agent who manages Count Fosco’s furnished house at No. 5 Forest Road. He tells Walter that Fosco has renewed his occupancy through the following June.

The landlord of Walter’s lodgings

Also known as the landlord

An unnamed landlord who arranges a messenger for Walter when he prepares to visit Count Fosco.

The landlord’s son

Also known as the quick lad · the messenger to Pesca

An unnamed boy who carries Walter’s sealed letter to Professor Pesca and brings back Pesca’s acknowledgment.

The Italian organ-grinder

Also known as the organ-grinder

An unnamed Italian street musician who performs outside a pastrycook’s shop with a small monkey. He asks Count Fosco for a penny, but Fosco passes him by.

The monkey

Also known as the miserable little shrivelled monkey

A small monkey sitting on the Italian organ-grinder’s instrument. Count Fosco gives it part of a tart while ignoring the organ-grinder’s request for money.

The cab driver at the opera

Also known as the empty-cab driver

An unnamed cab driver who takes Count Fosco from the opera bill toward the opera box office.

The three Misses at the Portland Place household

Also known as the merchant’s daughters · the three young Misses

The daughters of Professor Pesca’s former employer. Their praise of Pesca helped lead their father to arrange Walter’s position at Limmeridge House.

Walter’s mother

Walter and Sarah’s widowed mother. Walter says she believes the conspiracy’s denial of Laura’s identity and has not yet accepted Laura as his wife; she later visits Walter and Laura and attends their son’s christening.

Sarah Hartright

Walter’s sister, who lives with their mother. Walter says she shares their mother’s prejudice about Laura’s identity and his marriage; she later visits the family and attends her nephew’s christening.

The parish clerk at Old Welmingham

Also known as the old clerk · the clerk

An unnamed, elderly parish clerk who shows Walter the marriage register and later accompanies him to the church when the vestry keys go missing. He is present during Sir Percival’s fatal fire and the inquest, but is too shaken to help give evidence.

The man who accosts Walter in the lane

Also known as the servant out of livery

An unnamed servant waiting near Old Welmingham church for his master, Sir Percival. He follows Walter to the burning vestry, recognizes the trapped man as his master, and is so shocked that he cannot provide useful evidence at the inquest.

The boy who heard someone strike a light in the vestry

Also known as the village boy

An unnamed village boy who tells Walter and the parish clerk that someone is inside the church and that he heard a match struck. He gives evidence at the inquest about what he heard.

The villagers at the fire

Also known as the village men and women · the scanty population of the village

Unnamed villagers who gather at the church during the fire. Walter recruits several men to help break into the vestry, while the women and children watch from the churchyard.

The man who calls for the town fire engine

Also known as the villager who says there is an engine in town

An unnamed villager who tells Walter that the fire can be seen from town and that a fire engine is available. He has his wits about him and helps Walter rally others to try to rescue Sir Percival.

The firemen

Also known as the men with the engine

Unnamed firemen who arrive from town and extinguish the fire in the vestry, preserving the church.

The police at the fire

Also known as the police

Unnamed police officers who attend the fire and help secure the scene and the body for identification.

The coroner

Also known as the coroner at the inquest

An unnamed coroner who conducts the inquest into Sir Percival’s death and questions witnesses about the fire, missing keys, and the dead man’s presence in the vestry.

The inquest jury

Also known as the jury

Unnamed jurors who hear evidence about Sir Percival’s death and return the customary verdict of accidental death, noting that the circumstances remain unexplained.

The witnesses from Knowlesbury

Also known as the witnesses acquainted with Sir Percival

Unnamed witnesses familiar with Sir Percival Glyde’s appearance who help the coroner and jury identify his body.

The medical man at the adjourned inquest

Also known as the doctor who examines the servant

An unnamed medical man who reports on the servant’s mental condition after the fire. He finds that the shock has seriously impaired the servant’s already limited faculties.

The London solicitor of Sir Percival

Also known as the deceased’s London solicitor

Mr. Merriman, Sir Percival’s solicitor, who attends the adjourned inquest but cannot explain the missing keys, fire, or reason Sir Percival entered the vestry. He also discusses Sir Percival’s debts and the succession to the estate.

The successor to Sir Percival’s estate

Also known as the captain · the son of Sir Felix Glyde’s first cousin

An unnamed East India ship’s captain and son of Sir Felix Glyde’s first cousin, who inherits Sir Percival’s estate because Sir Percival left no children. The property is heavily encumbered by creditors.

The gentleman who shares Walter’s fly

Also known as Walter’s chance companion

An unnamed gentleman traveling near Knowlesbury who asks to share Walter’s hired fly. He tells Walter what he has heard from Mr. Merriman about Sir Percival’s debts and heir.

The man in authority at the fire

Also known as the man who asks Walter to identify the body

An unnamed official who summons Walter to view Sir Percival’s body and asks whether he can identify it.

The two men sent from the crowd

Also known as the men who carry a door to the vestry

Two unnamed men sent away from the churchyard after the fire is extinguished. They return carrying a door to help retrieve Sir Percival’s body from the vestry.

The workman

Also known as the workman whose dinner is by the vestry

An unnamed workman whose dinner is left near the vestry after the fire. His dog guards the food and yelps at Walter.

The workman’s dog

Also known as the faithful cur

An unnamed dog that guards its master’s dinner near the burned vestry and yelps at Walter.

The village women at the ruined cottage

Also known as the women in the cottage doorway

Unnamed women who watch as Walter and the village men pull a beam from a ruined cottage to use against the vestry door.

The woman who giggles over the washing-tub

Also known as the village woman with the white wild face

An unnamed village woman whom Walter remembers as terrified during the fire. The next day he sees her laughing with another woman over a washing-tub.

The other woman at the washing-tub

Also known as the woman with her

An unnamed woman laughing with the woman Walter remembers from the fire.

The townspeople who gossip about the inquest

Also known as the talkers in the hotel coffee-room

Unnamed local people who question Walter and gossip about the inquest after Sir Percival’s death.

Mrs. Catherick

Also known as Jane Anne Catherick · Anne’s mother

Anne Catherick’s mother, who writes Walter an unsigned, disguised letter revealing that Sir Percival bribed her to obtain the vestry keys and that she knew of his forged marriage entry. She says she helped keep the secret in exchange for an allowance, and that Sir Percival arranged for Anne to be confined after Anne repeated words suggesting she knew the secret. She insists that Mr. Catherick was Anne’s father and refuses to discuss the matter further.

The man who fathered Anne Catherick

Also known as the person unknown

An unidentified man with whom Mrs. Catherick had a relationship before marrying Mr. Catherick. Mrs. Clements’s account establishes that Anne was not Mr. Catherick’s child, while Mrs. Catherick insists in her letter that Mr. Catherick was Anne’s father; the text does not resolve the contradiction.

Mr. Catherick

Also known as Anne’s father

Anne Catherick’s legal father, a clerk at Welmingham church who discovered his wife’s relationship with Sir Percival and left England after being assaulted by him. Mrs. Catherick’s letter insists he was Anne’s father, in conflict with Mrs. Clements’s earlier account.

Sir Felix Glyde

Also known as Sir Percival’s father

Sir Percival Glyde’s deceased father. Mrs. Catherick’s letter says he told his son that he had not married the woman who became Sir Percival’s mother because she was already married to an abusive husband in Ireland.

Sir Percival Glyde’s mother

Also known as Sir Felix Glyde’s wife · Cecilia Jane Elster

Sir Felix Glyde’s partner and Sir Percival’s mother, whose marriage entry was forged into the Old Welmingham register by her son after her death. Mrs. Catherick’s letter says she had earlier been married in Ireland to another man, who ill-treated her and later left with someone else.

Sir Felix Glyde’s first cousin

Also known as the captain’s father

An unnamed first cousin of Sir Felix Glyde and father of the East India ship’s captain who inherits Sir Percival’s estate. He is mentioned but does not appear directly.

The man who was married to Sir Percival’s mother in Ireland

Also known as her first husband

An unnamed man who married Sir Percival’s mother in Ireland and ill-treated her before leaving with another person. Mrs. Catherick mentions him in her account of why Sir Felix did not marry her.

The man whose name Sir Percival used

Also known as the gentleman who never had a name · the nameless gentleman

Mrs. Catherick’s unnamed former lover and Sir Percival’s father, who had no legitimate claim to the Glyde name and estate. He bribed Mrs. Catherick to obtain the vestry keys, forged his parents’ marriage entry in the register, and later paid her to keep silent and remain in Welmingham.

The clergyman at Knowlesbury in 1803

Also known as the former clergyman at Knowlesbury

An unnamed clergyman who served at Knowlesbury church in 1803 and was still alive when Sir Percival took possession of the Glyde estate. His survival made that church a risky place for Sir Percival to forge his parents’ marriage entry.

The former clergyman at Old Welmingham

Also known as the deceased clergyman

An unnamed clergyman who served at Old Welmingham church and had died before Sir Percival forged the marriage register. His death meant there was no living clergyman to challenge the false entry.

The former clergyman’s wife

Also known as the clergyman’s wife

An unnamed woman who is married to the former clergyman at Old Welmingham. Mrs. Catherick says the clergyman had died years before Sir Percival forged the register.

Mr. Merriman

Also known as Sir Percival’s solicitor · the baronet’s lawyer · the solicitor for Sir Percival Glyde

Sir Percival’s solicitor, who attends the adjourned inquest but cannot explain the circumstances of Sir Percival’s death. He acknowledges that Sir Percival died without a will, had no personal property left, and left an estate consumed by creditors.

The owner of the Lunatic Asylum

Also known as the asylum proprietor · the owner of the madhouse

An unnamed proprietor of the asylum where Laura was confined under Anne Catherick’s name. Marian sees him speaking with Count Fosco in London, and Fosco admits he planned to involve him in legal proceedings after Laura’s escape.

The girl from the shop

Also known as the shop girl

An unnamed girl who works at the shop below Marian and Laura’s former lodgings. She brings Marian Count Fosco’s card and message asking to speak with her.

The idle boys and women near Count Fosco

Also known as the onlookers outside the shop

Unnamed onlookers who stare at Count Fosco as he waits to speak with Marian outside her lodgings.

The waiter at the Welmingham hotel

Also known as the waiter who delivers Mrs. Catherick’s letter

An unnamed waiter who gives Walter the disguised letter Mrs. Catherick left at the hotel bar.

The woman who delivers Mrs. Catherick’s letter

Also known as the woman who left the letter at the bar

An unnamed woman who leaves Mrs. Catherick’s disguised letter for Walter at the Welmingham hotel and departs before anyone can identify her.

The people at the hotel post-office

Also known as the post-office attendants

Unnamed attendants who give Walter letters from Marian while he is in Hampshire.

The police who send for witnesses

Also known as the police at Knowlesbury

Unnamed police who arrange for witnesses familiar with Sir Percival’s appearance to attend the inquest and communicate with Blackwater Park.

The fire engine horses

Also known as the horses pulling the engine

Unnamed horses that gallop to the church pulling the town fire engine.

The poultry at the churchyard

Also known as the flock of poultry

A flock of unnamed birds scratching for worms in the churchyard the morning after the fire.

The servant who cleared the vestry scene

Also known as the workman’s dinner dog

An unnamed dog belonging to a workman, which guards its master’s dinner near the vestry and yelps at Walter.

Eliza Michelson

Also known as Mrs. Michelson · the housekeeper at Blackwater Park · the housekeeper

The former housekeeper at Blackwater Park, whose narrative suggests Count Fosco communicated with Mr. Fairlie. Walter hopes those dealings may provide evidence against the conspirators.

Mr. Dawson

Also known as the doctor · the medical attendant

A doctor at Oak Lodge who previously treated Marian at Blackwater Park. He comes to Knowlesbury to stand bail for Walter, freeing him from a three-day remand.

The little man in black at Blackwater Park

Also known as the man in black with the large hat · the lawyer’s clerk · the short man in black

An unnamed lawyer’s clerk who previously tried to provoke Walter at Blackwater Park. He spies on Walter in Welmingham, reports his movements to Sir Percival, and is seen returning toward the town after Walter visits the church.

The rector of the parish

Also known as the clergyman

An unnamed clergyman whom Mrs. Catherick greets ceremoniously in Welmingham. His public courtesy helps affirm the respectable standing she has worked to gain.

Patrick Elster

Also known as the late Patrick Elster, Esq.

Cecilia Jane Elster’s deceased father, described in the marriage register as formerly of Bath. He is mentioned but does not appear directly.

Robert Wansborough

Also known as the old Mr. Wansborough · Walter’s former master

A deceased solicitor and former vestry-clerk who kept a duplicate of the Old Welmingham marriage register, carefully checked against the original. Walter finds that his copy omits Sir Felix Glyde’s marriage entry.

Mr. Wansborough

Also known as the younger Mr. Wansborough · the lawyer in Knowlesbury

A solicitor in Knowlesbury and son of Robert Wansborough. He retrieves his father’s duplicate register for Walter, who finds that it exposes the forged entry in the church register.

The tall man in gamekeeper’s clothes

Also known as the stout muscular man · one of the two spies

An unnamed, muscular man dressed as a gamekeeper who helps Sir Percival’s other spy watch and obstruct Walter. He helps have Walter detained on a false assault charge and later joins an attack on him on the road.

The labourer near the church

Also known as the labourer in the adjoining field

An unnamed labourer working near Old Welmingham church. Walter sees him as a possible source of directions, and he later witnesses the staged roadside assault but refuses to help Walter.

The labourer in the field near Knowlesbury

Also known as the witness to the alleged assault

An unnamed labourer who witnesses Walter being hustled by Sir Percival’s men on the road. His absence is used to secure Walter’s remand, though he does not appear at the hearing.

The local policeman at Knowlesbury

Also known as the policeman

An unnamed policeman who directs Walter and the two men accusing him to appear before the magistrate.

The magistrate at Knowlesbury

Also known as the magistrate

An unnamed, ill-tempered magistrate who remands Walter for three days pending a witness and requires bail because Walter is a stranger in town.

The messenger to Mr. Dawson

Also known as the messenger

An unnamed messenger who carries Walter’s letter to Mr. Dawson and brings the doctor back to Knowlesbury to offer bail.

The three men who attack Walter

Also known as the attackers on the road

Three unnamed men who spring from a hedge and attack Walter as he travels back toward Old Welmingham. Two pursue him after he strikes the third and escapes into a field.

The clerk’s deceased wife

Also known as the parish clerk’s wife

The deceased wife of the parish clerk at Old Welmingham. He says she is buried in the churchyard; she does not appear directly.

The former parish clerk

Also known as the clerk before the present clerk

The deceased predecessor of the Old Welmingham parish clerk, who was driven from his home by his wife. The current clerk says he inherited the position after this man left.

The churchwarden at Old Welmingham

Also known as the churchwarden

An unnamed churchwarden whom the parish clerk says has repeatedly promised to repair the faulty vestry lock but has not done so.

The six gentlemen who organized the church restoration

Also known as the six gentlemen

Six unnamed men who organized a fund to restore Old Welmingham church and repair its carvings. Their subscriptions fell short, leaving the materials and paperwork stored in the vestry.

The architect for the church restoration

Also known as the architect

An unnamed architect who prepared plans and estimates for restoring Old Welmingham church. His papers remain in the vestry after the project stalled.

Mrs. Catherick’s servant

Also known as the middle-aged woman servant

An unnamed, melancholy middle-aged servant at Mrs. Catherick’s house in Welmingham. She admits Walter after carrying his card and message to her employer.

Mrs. Catherick’s spaniel

Also known as the old spaniel

An elderly, wheezing, blear-eyed spaniel that lies at Mrs. Catherick’s feet.

The elderly nursemaid

An unnamed nursemaid standing with two children in a Welmingham square, watching a tethered goat.

The two children in the square

Two unnamed children standing with a nursemaid beside a tethered goat in Welmingham.

The idle boy in the square

Also known as the little boy

An unnamed boy leading a small dog on a string in the Welmingham square.

The small dog in the square

Also known as the idle little dog

An unnamed small dog led on a string by a boy in Welmingham.

The two foot-passengers in the square

Two unnamed pedestrians talking on the pavement in Welmingham as Walter enters the square.

The old woman at the lodge

Also known as one of the women in the lodge

An unnamed elderly woman who lives at the lodge at Blackwater Park. She remembers Sir Percival’s alarming departure but cannot recall when it happened.

The doctor at the Grimsby lodging

Also known as the medical man

An unnamed doctor summoned when Anne Catherick fell seriously ill at Grimsby. He diagnosed a heart condition and later advised Mrs. Clements not to oppose Anne’s wish to go to Hampshire.

The widow-woman at Sandon

Also known as the decent widow

An unnamed widow who rented Mrs. Clements and Anne a bedroom in a cottage near Sandon while they were in Hampshire.

The elderly lady who travels with Mrs. Clements and Anne

Also known as Madame Fosco · the Countess

Eleanor Fairlie, Count Fosco’s wife, who first appears as an elderly fellow traveler and later tricks Mrs. Clements into leaving Anne alone. She helps arrange Anne’s disappearance.

The servant at the London lodging-house

Also known as the servant who waited on the lodgers

An unnamed servant who tells Mrs. Clements that a boy delivered a letter for Anne and that Anne left the lodging shortly afterward.

The boy who delivers a letter to Anne

Also known as the boy from the street

An unnamed boy who brings a letter for Anne Catherick to the London lodging-house shortly before she disappears. The letter is missing, so its contents and sender are unknown.

The inn proprietor at Knowlesbury

Also known as the proprietor of the old inn

An unnamed former innkeeper who left Knowlesbury after his inn closed. Walter cannot establish where he went because townspeople give conflicting accounts.

The people Walter questions at Knowlesbury

Also known as the four people of Knowlesbury

Four unnamed people Walter asks about the former inn proprietor. They give four different accounts of his plans after leaving town.

The two men watching Walter outside Mr. Kyrle’s office

Also known as the men who followed Walter in London

Two unnamed men who watch Walter after his meeting with Mr. Kyrle and follow him through London. One is recognized as a man who had watched Walter before he left England; they are apparently acting for Sir Percival.

The man waiting in the doorway

Also known as the second man who followed Walter

An unnamed stranger who waits in a doorway after one of the two watchers turns a corner. Walter studies his appearance in case he causes further trouble.

The cab driver who takes Walter toward Hyde Park

Also known as the driver of the fast two-wheel cab

An unnamed cab driver who takes Walter toward Hyde Park, helping him evade the men following him.

The elderly lady at the Blackwater station

Also known as the elderly lady traveling to London

An unnamed woman who meets Count Fosco at Blackwater station while Mrs. Clements and Anne travel to London. Mrs. Clements does not know what becomes of her at the London terminus; she is not established as the Countess.

The fellow passenger who knows Blackwater

Also known as the fellow-passenger

An unnamed passenger on the journey from London to Hampshire who gives Mrs. Clements information about the Blackwater area, helping her choose Sandon as a place to stay.

Mrs. Catherick’s husband’s relatives

Also known as the Grimsby relatives

Unnamed relatives of Mrs. Clements’s deceased husband who live in Grimsby and had treated her kindly. Mrs. Clements considers seeking their advice when she and Anne leave London.

The owner of Varneck Hall

Also known as Major Donthorne

Major Donthorne, the owner of Varneck Hall while Mrs. Catherick worked there as a lady’s-maid. Walter notes his name and address as a possible source of information.

The young woman in Mrs. Clements’s account

Also known as the clerk’s wife

Mrs. Catherick, before and around Anne’s birth, whose relationship with Sir Percival caused a scandal in Old Welmingham. She married Mr. Catherick after an earlier relationship with an unidentified man, and Anne was not Mr. Catherick’s biological child.

The innkeeper’s wife

An unnamed woman who is one of the two women at the Blackwater Park lodge. She and the elderly lodge woman cannot give Walter an exact date for Sir Percival’s departure.

The physician’s assistant sent to attend the deceased

Also known as the person sent in by Mr. Goodricke

Jane Gould, sent by Dr. Goodricke to prepare Laura’s body after her supposed death. Walter later interviews her and obtains a copy of the death certificate through her doctor.

Hester Pinhorn

Also known as the cook in the service of Count Fosco · Mrs. Cook

Count Fosco’s former cook and narrator of an account of Laura’s arrival and supposed death in his London home. Walter finds her lodging nearby and obtains her account as evidence.

Alfred Goodricke

Also known as Mr. Goodricke · Dr. Goodricke

A doctor in St. John’s Wood who attends Laura at the Foscos’ London home, certifies her supposed death, and later provides Walter with a copy of the certificate.

Mr. Garth

Also known as Mr. Goodricke’s partner

A doctor and partner of Alfred Goodricke who consulted on Laura’s condition.

Jane Gould

A woman sent by Dr. Goodricke to prepare Laura’s body for burial. Walter interviews her while gathering evidence about Laura’s supposed death.

Fanny

Also known as Laura’s maid

Laura’s devoted former maid, whose expected return to Limmeridge might have provided a chance for someone to recognize Laura after her rescue. She is absent when Laura and Marian arrive there.

The acting partner of Mr. Gilmore

Also known as the acting partner of their man of business

An unnamed legal partner of Mr. Gilmore who earlier wrote to Frederick Fairlie after receiving a blank sheet from Marian.

Mr. Gilmore

Also known as the family solicitor · the family lawyer · Vincent Gilmore

The Fairlie family solicitor and an earlier narrator. He later returns to the family, serves as godfather to Walter and Laura’s son by proxy, and writes the narrative that appears early in the story.

The man watched in London

Also known as the man suspected of helping Anne Catherick

An unnamed man in London whom Sir Percival says his side watched after Walter left Cumberland. His identity is not established.

The people who kept Anne at the asylum

Also known as the people in charge of the asylum

Unnamed asylum attendants who had charge of Anne Catherick before her earlier escape.

The man who confined Anne

Sir Percival Glyde, who had previously confined Anne Catherick; Walter’s earlier suspicion of another identity was disproved by Anne’s reaction.

The people from the madhouse

Also known as the asylum pursuers

Unnamed pursuers sent after Anne Catherick when she escaped from the asylum. After the later escape, their pursuit is initially diverted toward Hampshire and would likely turn toward Cumberland.

The Countess’s room watcher

Also known as the woman watching from the window

Eleanor Fairlie, Count Fosco’s wife, who watched Marian from her bedroom window during an earlier episode.

Mrs. Vesey

Also known as the old governess

Laura’s former governess and close friend. Laura intended to stay with her after leaving Blackwater Park, but never reached her house; Marian also planned to stay with her in London before choosing other lodgings. She later visits the family and attends Walter and Laura’s son’s christening.

The people in charge of the Asylum

Also known as the asylum proprietor · the owner of the madhouse

The unnamed proprietor of the asylum where Laura is confined under Anne Catherick’s name. He allows Marian to visit the patient, explains that Count Fosco brought her back with an order and certificates signed for by Sir Percival, and notices changes in the patient’s appearance.

The nurse at the Asylum

Also known as the nurse · the attendant

An unnamed young woman attending Laura at the asylum, where she believes her to be Anne Catherick. Marian pays her to help Laura escape and gives her a plan to misdirect the search.

The nurse’s fiancé

Also known as the nurse’s sweetheart · the nurse’s future husband

An unnamed man engaged to the asylum nurse. He and the nurse are saving money to start a business together.

The asylum patients

Unnamed inmates of the asylum where Laura is confined under Anne Catherick’s identity.

The female servant at the London house

Also known as the servant who opened the door

An unnamed servant who opens the door at the London house where Count Fosco brings Laura. Laura considers seeking her help.

The porter at the South Western Railway terminus

Also known as the porter

An unnamed railway porter who opens the carriage door when Laura arrives in London; the crowded platform and luggage confusion accompany her arrival.

The two servants at the Foscos’ London home

Unnamed household servants whose evidence, along with the doctor’s, supports the account of Laura’s supposed death during Mr. Kyrle’s inquiry.

The engraver who employs Walter

Also known as Walter’s friend, a wood engraver

Walter’s friend and first employer in wood engraving. He arranges for Walter to undertake a Paris assignment for his employers, which may lead to a permanent position on an illustrated newspaper.

Mr. and Mrs. Markland

An English couple who hosted a gathering in Rome and were friends of Sir Percival. Mrs. Markland recommended Walter as a drawing master, helping Percival realize that he was the man Laura had loved.

The woman who helped Mrs. Vesey

Also known as Mrs. Vesey’s married sister

An unnamed married sister of Mrs. Vesey who recommends a respectable London boarding house to Marian.

Mr. Fairlie’s servant at the door

Also known as the servant posted at the door

An unnamed servant who tries to prevent Marian and Laura from entering Frederick Fairlie’s room at Limmeridge House.

The gardener

Also known as the gardener who drove Lady Glyde to the station

An unnamed gardener at Blackwater Park who drives Laura and Mrs. Michelson to the station, takes Mrs. Rubelle there later, and stays nearby to assist Mrs. Michelson while she cares for Marian.

Margaret Porcher

Also known as the largest housemaid · the housemaid

An awkward housemaid at Blackwater Park whom Sir Percival keeps when dismissing the rest of the servants. She remains there while Mrs. Michelson is away and is often inattentive to her duties.

The servant who carries the post-bag

Also known as the servant

An unnamed servant at Blackwater Park who receives the post-bag from Count Fosco after Marian says she has no letters to send.

The under-gardener

Also known as the lad · the gardener

An unnamed young gardener at Limmeridge House who brings a letter addressed to Laura from an unknown woman.

The man-servant at Blackwater Park

Also known as the man-servant who opened the door

An unnamed servant who opens Blackwater Park’s door to Marian when she arrives.

The upper housemaid

Also known as the servant sent to see after Marian

An unnamed upper housemaid who is sent to check on Marian when she fails to appear for breakfast and returns frightened.

The groom

Also known as the stable-yard groom

An unnamed groom at Blackwater Park who is sent on horseback to fetch Mr. Dawson when Marian falls ill.

The ostler

Also known as the ostler at the old inn

An unnamed ostler who brings Sir Percival’s chaise back from Knowlesbury after Sir Percival leaves it there and departs by train.

Walter’s surviving companions

Also known as Walter’s companions

Unnamed members of Walter’s Central American expedition who survive the journey and leave the region for home with him. Their individual identities are not given.

The landlady of the village inn

Also known as the landlady

An unnamed woman who helps Fanny after she faints at the inn following tea with the Countess, and takes her upstairs to bed.

William

Also known as the man out of livery

An unnamed servant at Blackwater Park who remarks that Sir Percival has cut back on food while drinking more. Eliza Michelson rebukes him for the observation.

The messenger to London

Also known as one of the men-servants

An unnamed man-servant sent to London with a letter for the physician and instructions to bring him back by the earliest train.

The doctor who attends Marian at Limmeridge

Also known as the unimpressionable doctor

An unnamed doctor attending Marian during her illness at Limmeridge. Count Fosco offers his chemical and medical knowledge, but the doctor declines his assistance.

Eliza Michelson’s husband

Also known as the late Rev. Samuel Michelson

Eliza Michelson’s deceased husband, a clergyman whose sermons she remembers and quotes. He does not appear directly.

The Italian greyhound

Also known as Laura’s little Italian greyhound · Nina · the cross-grained pet greyhound

Laura Fairlie’s small pet dog, mentioned by Sir Percival as one of the creatures he considers comparable to women and children.

The people at the farmhouse near Limmeridge

Also known as the people Anne lived with at a farmhouse

An unnamed household who hosted Anne Catherick near Limmeridge. Sir Percival says he visited them after she escaped and found they knew nothing.

The man walking behind the country waggon

Also known as the suspected follower

An unnamed man Marian thinks she sees walking behind a country waggon on the road to the village. She cannot confirm that he was following her.

The carter

Also known as the waggon driver

An unnamed man walking beside the horses at the front of the country waggon that passes Marian.

Mrs. Markland

Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Markland

A skilled sketcher and friend of Sir Percival who recommends Walter Hartright as a drawing master at a gathering in Rome. Her recommendation leads Percival to realize that Walter is the man Laura had loved.

The messenger from London

Also known as the respectable-looking man in the fly

An unnamed man traveling from the railway to Blackwater Park with a letter for Marian from Mr. Kyrle. Marian meets him at the lodge gate and takes the letter.

The servant who clears the luncheon table

An unnamed servant who comes to clear the luncheon table, allowing Marian to leave the room without drawing attention.

Brown Molly

Also known as the mare

Sir Percival’s high-spirited mare, whom he takes on long drives.

Isaac of York

A horse Sir Percival usually takes for short journeys.

The wounded spaniel

Also known as Mrs. Catherick’s dog · the poor little dog

A small black-and-white spaniel belonging to Mrs. Catherick. Marian found it mortally wounded at Blackwater Park, where it died; its blood is discovered in the boat-house.

The Count’s fifth white mouse

Also known as Benjamin of mice · the youngest mouse

Count Fosco’s smallest and whitest pet mouse, briefly lost beneath a bench in the boat-house before the Count finds it.

Cecilia Metella

A historical Roman woman whose tomb Laura and Sir Percival visited together. Laura recalls asking whether Percival would build her a similar tomb and being hurt by his cruel reply.

The unnamed person with heavy claims on Sir Percival

Also known as the strange gentleman who declined to leave his name · the nameless visitor to Blackwater Park

An unnamed visitor to Blackwater Park who left without giving his name. Laura believes he has heavy claims on Sir Percival and caused Mr. Merriman’s unexpected visit.

The insects in the flowers

Small insects in the library flowers that Count Fosco tries to kill by puffing cigarette smoke at them.

Chatterton

The poet Count Fosco cites as a widely pitied figure who began life with forgery and ended it by suicide.

John Howard

Also known as John-Howard-Philanthropist

A philanthropist invoked by Count Fosco as an example of society directing attention to misery in prisons rather than in poor homes.

Sheridan

A writer whom Count Fosco quotes when saying he will leave and leave his character behind him.

Mrs. Vesey’s younger sister

Also known as the unmarried sister who keeps a school at Clapham

An unnamed younger sister of Mrs. Vesey who keeps a school at Clapham and is to take Mrs. Vesey into her home.

Mr. Arnold

Also known as the Arnolds’ old friend

An unnamed man from the Arnold family who arrives from Polesdean on the eve of Laura’s wedding and calls Marian away from Frederick Fairlie.

Baxter

Also known as the keeper · the gamekeeper

The unnamed-by-title gamekeeper at Blackwater Park who shoots dogs he finds hunting on the estate. The housemaid believes he shot the spaniel Marian finds wounded.

The chained bloodhound

Also known as the bloodhound

A savage dog kept chained in the stable-yard. Count Fosco confronts it calmly, and it retreats meekly to its kennel.

The cockatoo

Count Fosco’s pet cockatoo, vicious toward others but affectionate with the Count.

The two canaries

Also known as the canary-birds

Count Fosco’s pet canaries, trained to perch on his fingers and sing when called.

The white mice

Also known as the Count’s mice

Count Fosco’s tame pet mice, which live in a pagoda he made and freely crawl over him.

The photographers

Also known as the two photographers

Two unnamed photographers whom Frederick Fairlie keeps continually employed making pictures of his treasures and curiosities.

The unmarried sister of Mrs. Vesey

Also known as the schoolmistress at Clapham

An unnamed woman who keeps a school at Clapham and is to house her older sister, Mrs. Vesey.

Henry VIII

Also known as Henry the Eighth

The historical king cited by Marian as an example of a corpulent person who was not necessarily amiable.

Pope Alexander VI

Also known as Pope Alexander the Sixth

The historical pope cited by Marian in her argument that fatness does not imply good character.

Frederick and Mary Manning

Also known as Mr. Murderer and Mrs. Murderess Manning

A married pair of murderers, both described by Marian as unusually stout.

The Great Napoleon

Also known as Napoleon

The historical French leader whose face Count Fosco strongly resembles, according to Marian.

The strange gentleman who came to Blackwater Park

Also known as the nameless visitor

An unnamed visitor who asked when Sir Percival was expected home. He left no name or details, and the housekeeper’s account of his visit discomposes Sir Percival.

The dressmaker

An unnamed dressmaker who comes to take Laura’s orders for her wedding clothes.

The Arnolds

Also known as the Arnold family

A hospitable family in Yorkshire, known to Laura since childhood. They welcome Laura and Marian to visit at Polesdean Lodge.

The two men watching Walter

Also known as the two strange men

Two unnamed men whom Walter says followed him through London and watched him among the crowd at Liverpool before the expedition sailed. Walter also reports hearing Anne Catherick’s name spoken behind him as he boarded.

The influential London correspondent

Also known as one of Marian’s mother’s old friends

An unnamed influential man in London whom Marian contacts on Walter’s behalf. He finds an opportunity for Walter to join an expedition to Central America.

The second influential London correspondent

Also known as one of Marian’s mother’s old friends

An unnamed influential man in London whom Marian contacts on Walter’s behalf; no response from him is reported in this passage.

The expedition’s original draughtsman

Also known as the draughtsman already appointed

An unnamed draughtsman appointed to join the Central American excavation expedition who loses heart and withdraws, leaving Walter to take his place.

The expedition leaders

The unnamed leaders of the Central American excavation expedition, whose preparations suggest to Marian that they expect the journey to be dangerous.

The pilot

An unnamed pilot who is to leave the Central American expedition’s ship after it is underway.

The people watching Walter in London

Also known as the strange men

Unnamed men Walter suspects have followed and watched him since his return to London. He cannot identify them or prove his suspicion; Marian later recounts his claim that two of them watched him in Liverpool.

The clergyman at Limmeridge

Also known as the clergyman

An unnamed clergyman whose rectory Sir Percival offers to stay in before the wedding. Marian and Frederick decide he may instead stay at Limmeridge House.

The family servant sent to trace the women

Also known as the confidential servant · the servant who traced Anne Catherick and Mrs. Clements

An unnamed confidential servant of Mr. Fairlie, sent by Gilmore to trace Anne Catherick and Mrs. Clements. He reports that they took tickets to Carlisle, where he could find no further trace of them.

Magdalen Fairlie

Also known as Magdalen

The daughter of the late Arthur Fairlie and Laura’s cousin, mentioned as the next heir to the Limmeridge estate if Laura dies unmarried or childless. She may also inherit the principal of the £10,000 legacy if both Laura and her aunt die in the relevant order.

Arthur Fairlie

Also known as Mr. Arthur Fairlie

The late third son of Mr. Fairlie the elder and father of Magdalen Fairlie. He died before his brother Philip, leaving a son and a daughter.

Arthur Fairlie’s son

Also known as the son of Mr. Arthur Fairlie

An unnamed son of Arthur Fairlie who died by drowning at Oxford when he was eighteen.

Mr. Fairlie the elder

Also known as the paternal grandfather

The late father of Philip, Frederick, and Arthur Fairlie, whose estate succession arrangement is described by Gilmore.

The three villagers

Three unnamed villagers who say they saw the elderly woman sought by Walter and Marian, but cannot describe her or agree on where she went.

The schoolmaster

Also known as Mr. Dempster

The schoolmaster at the boys’ school established by Mrs. Fairlie. He punishes Jacob Postlethwaite for claiming to have seen a ghost, and explains that the boy saw a woman in white near Mrs. Fairlie’s grave.

Jacob Postlethwaite

Also known as the sturdy white-headed boy · the ghost-seer

A schoolboy at Limmeridge who insists that he saw a woman dressed in white by the churchyard grave of Mrs. Fairlie. His account helps Walter suspect that Anne Catherick has returned.

The schoolboys

Also known as the pupils

The unnamed boys at Limmeridge School, whom Mr. Dempster threatens to cane if talk of ghosts continues.

The sexton

Also known as the clerk

An unnamed, ailing man who serves as both clerk and sexton at the church. He is responsible for caring for Mrs. Fairlie’s monument.

The sexton’s wife

Also known as the old woman

An unnamed woman who lives in a cottage beside the quarry and tells Walter that her ailing husband has neglected Mrs. Fairlie’s monument. She later watches Anne and Walter from a distance.

The girl at Mrs. Clements’s house

Also known as the girl up at needle-work

An unnamed girl who is working late at needlework when Anne arrives in London and helps her rouse Mrs. Clements.

Anne Catherick’s father

Also known as Anne’s father

A man Anne says she never saw or heard her mother speak of; Anne supposes that he is dead.

The Todd family

Also known as Mr. Todd’s family

The unnamed family at Todd’s Corner who host Anne Catherick and Mrs. Clements. They spend the evening with the guests before the women leave suddenly.

The farmer’s second daughter

Also known as the dairymaid · Hannah

A dairymaid at Limmeridge House and one of Mr. Todd’s daughters. She visits Todd’s Corner and tells the household that Sir Percival Glyde is expected at Limmeridge, news that may have distressed Anne.

The farmer’s other daughters

Also known as the dairymaid’s sisters

The unnamed sisters of Hannah, the dairymaid. They tell her news from Todd’s Corner.

The steward

Also known as my steward

An unnamed steward in Frederick Fairlie’s household, who is to ask Walter about his payment at the end of his first week.

The butler

Also known as Mr. Fairlie’s butler

An unnamed butler in Frederick Fairlie’s household, instructed to ask Walter what wine he prefers after dinner.

Mrs. Kempe

Also known as old Mrs. Kempe

Mrs. Catherick’s dying sister, who lived at the village shop near Limmeridge. Mrs. Catherick came from Hampshire to care for her.

The elderly letter-bearer

Also known as the old woman

An unnamed elderly woman who gives the under-gardener a letter addressed to Laura Fairlie; her identity is not established.

Mr. Fairlie’s legal adviser

Also known as the legal adviser

An unnamed adviser to Frederick Fairlie whom Marian considers consulting about the anonymous letter sent to Laura.

Walter’s father

A deceased drawing-master whose professional success and prudent life insurance left his wife and children financially secure. Walter inherited his professional connections.

The asylum pursuer

An unnamed man in an open chaise who tells a policeman that the woman in white escaped from his Asylum and asks that she be stopped and sent to an address.

The cab driver

An unnamed driver who takes the woman in white toward Tottenham Court Road after Walter helps her into his cab.

The cab passenger

An unnamed gentleman who gets out of the cab Walter hails and enters a nearby house.

The chaise driver

An unnamed man driving the open chaise that carries the asylum pursuer.

Mr. Halcombe

Marian’s deceased father and the first husband of her mother. He was a poor man.

The golden Papa

Also known as the mighty merchant · the Portland Place employer

An unnamed wealthy merchant in Portland Place who employs Professor Pesca to teach his three daughters Dante. At Pesca’s recommendation, he arranges for Walter to work for his friend Frederick Fairlie.

The merchant’s two young Misters

The unnamed two sons of Professor Pesca’s wealthy Portland Place employer; they are mentioned but do not appear.

The merchant’s Mamma

The unnamed wife of Professor Pesca’s wealthy Portland Place employer; she is mentioned but does not appear.

The brother drawing-master

An unnamed colleague of Walter who had previously entrusted his pupils to Walter and offers to look after Walter’s pupils while he is away.

The bachelor baronet

An unnamed baronet who once took Walter on a yacht cruise so Walter could make sketches. The woman in white hopes Walter does not know a particular baronet, but the passage does not identify this man as the one she fears.

The two family men

Two unnamed men whose names Walter mentions to the woman in white; they are fathers of families whose daughters he teaches.

The oldest tenant on the estate

Also known as the tenant who leads the cheering

An unnamed elderly tenant with an iron-grey hair and an honest brown face who rises to lead the cheers when Laura is publicly recognized. He celebrates her return with the other tenants.

Walter and Laura’s son

Also known as little Walter · the Heir of Limmeridge

The infant son of Walter Hartright and Laura Fairlie. Marian is his godmother, and he becomes heir to Limmeridge after Frederick Fairlie’s death.

The servant who gives Walter Laura’s note

Also known as the servant who delivers the note

An unnamed servant who gives Walter Laura’s note when he returns from Ireland and finds that Laura, Marian, and their child have gone to Limmeridge House.

The Brotherhood

Also known as the political society

A secret political society to which Professor Pesca belongs. Its members are identified by a lifelong brand, and Fosco fears Pesca’s connection to it.